Increasing the distance allowance for employees by one cent would bring the tax authorities a shortfall in income of around 230 million euros annually.
This emerges from the answer from the Federal Ministry of Finance to a written question from FDP member Frank Schäffler, which the newspaper Rheinische Post reported on Thursday.
The Union and FDP politician Schäffler want to increase the flat rate in order to cushion the rise in fuel prices that drivers have to face due to the gradual increase in the price of CO2.
An increase in the flat rate by five cents would cost the state 1.16 billion euros annually, according to the newspaper.
If the lump sum were even increased by 15 cents, there would be a loss of income of 4.76 billion euros, according to the paper from the Ministry of Finance.
Abolition would bring 5.5 billion
Environmental associations, on the other hand, are calling for the flat rate to be abolished.
According to the information, this would bring the state 5.5 billion euros in additional income.
Since 2004, the unofficially known commuter allowance has been 30 cents per kilometer, before that it was slightly higher.
The lump sum is intended to relieve the burden on the necessary commute and is not paid out directly or deducted from the tax burden.
Employees can claim them for tax on the way to work - but not twice for the way there and back.
It is the same for everyone, regardless of whether they are traveling by car, train, bicycle or simply walking.